3 days expedition with dogsled

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Jan - May

3 days

An exciting two night tour in the wilderness, where you spend your says exploring the best Svalbard has to offer, lead by a team of eager huskies.

3 DAY EXPEDITION BY DOG SLED

You will be picked up from your accommodation place and driven 10 kilometres into Adventdalen to Green Dog’s cosy kennel. Which lucky dogs will be on your team? Electro, Ginger, Duma or Briz? You will be equipped with an exposure suit, boots and mittens, before you hop in and help the guide to harness and prepare the dogs. The barking and howling can seem a bit chaotic, but suddenly, it all changes. As soon as the dogs start to run, they become completely silent. The huskies are completely focussed on pulling the sled through the snow, and you can enjoy the magical landscape around you.

DOG SLEDDING AND THE FEELING OF ACCOMPLISHMENT

The guide will drive first with two guests, and the following sleds will be driven by two guests, who swap between driving and sitting in the sled. We will follow the river bed that heads into Bolterdalen, surrounded by mighty mountains. As we approach the glacier, we will enjoy a little more up and down between the moraine formations, and then we will take a break by the ice cave.

A MAGICAL WINTER WONDERLAND

When you visit Svalbard you can hardly escape seeing a glacier. Around 60% of the archipelago is covered with glaciers, and when you visit us during the winter, there is a great chance that you will cross one by snowmobile or dog sled. When you stand on a seemingly flat plateau of snow and ice, it is difficult to imagine that the frozen wonderland that can be found under the surface.

A frozen world appears as you make your way down into the ice cave. Stuck in the ice you can see 1000 year old remnants of frozen plants, fantastic ice formations, narrow passages and big caverns. Welcome to an underworld hidden to all who haven’t made their way into the deep. The dogs will have a well-deserved rest while we explore the mystical underground world.

COSY CABIN TIME

After the visit hidden heart of the glacier, we will head down through the moraine and out of Bolterdalen at a good pace. Soon we will arrive in Foxdalen, where we will stay for the night.

We will organise a good dinner for the dogs while the cabin warms up. The little oven makes quick work of this once alight. If the northern lights do not tempt us to edge out of the cabin in the evening, we will have a cosy evening indoors, with good food, tall tales and the crackling of the fire, until it is time to creep into our sleeping bags.

The next morning, we will harness the dogs and continue in towards Jansonhaugen, following the exciting and changeable terrain.The wide and wonderful valley, Adventdalen, narrows suddenly, and the mountains are suddenly even closer as we follow the twists and bends of the river bed as it heads in land. We will continue into Eskerdalen, and if possible, make our way to Sassendalen for an exciting furthest point on our tour. We will find a nice place for lunch, and after a long but enjoyable day behind the sleds, we will arrive at Juvahytta. Juvahytta (Juva Cabin), also known as the jewel, is a lovely cabin with electricity, bedrooms with bunk beds, lounge room and kitchen. In February and March the light is particularly magical, with limited hours of daylight, whilst January offers the option for 24 hour northern lights searching. In April and May it never gets dark, which is also a unique experience. After being outdoors all day, it will be a lovely change to enjoy the evening in comfort. Everyone will help to unharness and feed the dogs, before we make our own dinner, and settle down in front of the fire. There is a selection of board games here if you feel like a spot of competition before bed, or perhaps the sauna outside may tempt you, with its big window offering views of the night sky.

The next day we will head west, and mush our way into Helvetiadalen, before we make our way back towards Bolterdalen. Our happy huskies love being out on tour, and on an expedition like this you will really gain an appreciation for our four legged friends. The last stage back towards Green Dog will mark the end of three magical days with the dogs. We will be back in Longyearbyen between 3:00 and 6:00 pm.

Practical information

You do not need any previous dog sledding experience to participate, but you should be in good shape. This is a long dog sledding tour, so if you are looking for a shorter introductory tour, we recommend Dog sledding in Bolterdalen instead. During the tour the participants will help to feed the dogs, and get them ready to mush, so you must expect to roll up your sleeves and pitch in. We will work together to ensure the most enjoyable trip for participants, guide and dogs.

In the Arctic, the weather can be unforeseeable and can change dramatically in the course of a few hours. With temperatures below freezing and the windchill factor, the effective temperature can quickly drop to well below -20 degrees Celsius in the winter. It is therefore important to dress warmly, take an additional thick jumper with you, and let the guide know if you are feeling cold. The dogs are social, affectionate and active creatures, and for some people, their first meeting with these happy, boisterous dogs can be a little overwhelming. Listen to the guide's instructions, and you will quickly bond with your huskies.

The tour takes you through uneven terrain, and is not recommended for those with existing injuries, or pregnant women.

Remember that Svalbard is tax and duty free, so that you can always pick up quality equipment in our expeditions shop, Longyear78.

PRICE INFORMATION

NOK 12 900 per person.

Price includes:

Pick up in Longyearbyen

Sleeping bag

Sleeping mat

Warm winter shoes

Exposure suit

Warm mittens

Balaklava

Thick hat

Ski goggles

Thermos

Helmet and headlamp for ice cave visit

We will also provide food during the whole tour. Remember to pack your gear in plastic bags/waterproof bags as equipment can become wet during the tour. You may also wish to take extra plastic bags along.

Price does not include:

Flights

Accommodation in Longyearbyen before or after the trip

Personal equipment

Insurance

Facts

Number of days

3 days

Age limit

12 years

Difficulty

3 - Average physical fitness

Jan - May

3 days

Per person

NOK 12900

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